Champ Thai not assured of victory

Champ Thai not assured of victory

Agence France-Presse, Jakarta

For the third time in four tournaments, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia will do battle on Friday for a place in the final of the Tiger Cup.

But defending champions Thailand will not be seen as odds-on favorites when the semi-finals of the regional soccer contest kick off here.

The Thais emerged as champions of the six-year-old tournament in 1996 and 2000, reinforcing their reputation as Southeast Asia's leading football nation.

Singapore registered a surprise win in 1998.

However this year the Thais were upstaged in the first round by Malaysia, who defeated the reigning champions 3-1. The Malaysians also trounced tournament co-hosts Singapore 4-0.

Many of the regulars in the young and energetic Malaysian side were given the night off for Sunday's 1-1 draw with Laos and will be well-rested for their semi-final clash with Indonesia.

On form, it should be Malaysia meeting Vietnam in the final on December 29.

Vietnam, losing finalists in 1998 on home soil, topped Group A with three wins in four matches.

Their exhilarating attacking style yielded 19 goals and claimed them a crucial 4-2 victory over Myanmar in their final group match on Monday.

Indonesia and Thailand have been far less impressive this time around but cannot be written off.

Co-host Indonesia disappointed in its first three matches. It drew 0-0 with Myanmar, fought back from 2-1 down to beat minnows Cambodia 4-2, and then needed a deflected goal late in its match with Vietnam to force a 2-2 draw.

Indonesia came back with a bang to destroy the Philippines 13- 1 on Monday but will have its work cut out for it against Malaysia.

Thailand will also have to lift its game. After an unimpressive performance in its 5-1 win over Laos, it lost to Malaysia and then scraped through to the semi-finals on goal difference following its 1-1 draw against Singapore.